Are you craving a sweet treat that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further than these delightful banana nut cookies! This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned cooks alike, offering a delicious and healthy alternative to store-bought snacks. These cookies are bursting with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, the satisfying crunch of nuts, and a warm, comforting aroma that will fill your kitchen. Get ready to enjoy the best homemade banana nut cookies you've ever tasted!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (or a mix!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prep the Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution and prevents clumps in your cookies.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is easiest with an electric mixer, but you can do it by hand if you have the patience! The creaming process incorporates air, leading to lighter and fluffier cookies.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Step 5: Incorporate Bananas and Nuts
Gently fold in the mashed bananas and chopped nuts. Again, avoid overmixing; a few streaks of banana are perfectly fine.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these warm, delicious banana nut cookies!
Tips for the Best Banana Nut Cookies:
- Use ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Chill the dough (optional): For thicker, chewier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Add chocolate chips: For an extra decadent treat, stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips along with the nuts.
- Experiment with nuts: Try using different nuts like almonds, macadamia nuts, or hazelnuts.
Variations:
- Spiced Banana Nut Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Oatmeal Banana Nut Cookies: Add 1 cup of rolled oats to the dry ingredients for a heartier cookie.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 150-200 (depending on nut type and added ingredients)
These delicious banana nut cookies are a fantastic quick dinner idea or a perfect treat for any occasion. They are a healthy and easy recipe that's sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the satisfaction of creating these delightful cookies from scratch. These easy recipes are a great way to impress your friends and family with delicious dishes, and are among the best recipes for satisfying sweet cravings.